President Buhari leaves for Niger Republic on Tuesday

The Presidency, in a statement on Monday, said Buhari would use the one-day official trip to “participate in the programme of activities marking the 60th anniversary of the formal Proclamation of the Republic of Niger.”

The statement, which was released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, reads in part, “At the invitation of President Mahamadou Issoufou, President Buhari will join fellow West African leaders as Special Guest of Honour as Nigeria’s northern neighbour commemorates December 18, 1958, the date of its founding as a Republic and the creation of the Presidency even before it gained complete Independence from France on August 3, 1960.

“The participation of the Nigerian leader is in furtherance of the deep historical and cultural relations between the governments and peoples of both friendly nations.

“Activities lined up for the celebrations in the ancient south-central town and former capital of Niger which lies 240km north of Kano, include military parade, cultural and artistic displays.

“President Buhari will be accompanied by Governors Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai and Adegboyega Oyetola of Jigawa, Kaduna and Osun States, respectively.

“Also on the delegation is the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Khadija Bukar Abba Ibrahim.”